Mom: Ke$ha 'almost died' from weight bullying

Jan. 21, 2014
|

Ke$ha entered rehab last week. / Eric Jamison Invision

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

by Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Pop singer Ke$ha, who checked into rehab for an eating disorder earlier this month, was the victim of a serious weight struggle.

Her mom, Pebe Sebert, who has entered the same facility as her daughter, is shedding more light on her daughter's situation.

"I've watched my beautiful, self-confident, brilliant daughter be berated and ridiculed for her looks and weight to the point that she almost died," Sebert tells People. "The doctors told me her blood pressure and sodium levels were so low, they'd never seen it that low except with someone who'd had a heart attack or stroke. They said it was a miracle she hadn't already dropped dead on stage."

According to her mom, Ke$ha, 26, had been battling body issues since middle school, but they have gotten worse since she signed with longtime producer Dr. Luke and former manager David Sonenberg, when she was just 18.

"One time on a conference call, Sonenberg was screaming, 'You need to lose weight! I don't care what you do ... take drugs, not eat, stick your finger down your throat!' " Sebert tells People. "Ke$ha was just weeping. She drove around afterward thinking about killing herself."

Dr. Luke and Sonenberg have denied the allegations.

Sebert also details Ke$ha's bulimia habits, saying she "could throw up really quickly and quietly" even in public restrooms. "She'd even take a bag in there so no one could see her bent over the toilet. She was really sneaky."